Sister Bay Barn in Watercolor

I've not used my watercolors for a while, and yesterday, I could have used them in the field.  So, today finds me filling in ink drawings with color!  Sometimes, I only have time for a sketch, which I can come back to later, if I choose.  This is one of my favorite journals, and I especially love the rough texture and how that paint glides over the surface.  The sizing is a little thick in this particular journal, so my watercolor brushes are far more effective than the brushpens.  When I use the brushpens, I need water handy to rinse out the gunk periodically.  I sketch in my line drawing with India ink, which is waterproof, and then follow with paint.  I'm using my watercolor confections for this.  They are small and can be slid in a pocket for in the spot plein air.  I almost never get out my Daniel Smith's now, strictly due to the convenience.  I'm having so much fun, I think I'll do another!  Painting number 1768 in 1768 days.

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Liberty Memorial in Autumn

The morning was cool, and rain was expected.  I headed out to Liberty Memorial early for the Urban Sketchers Global 24 hr Sketchwalk. As part of the Kansas City chapter, our group would be posting our work on the global hashtag.  So exciting!  Parking out at the lot near the Pioneer Mother, this was the first scene I came to.  The autumn color here is still fabulous - but oh, how those leaves are falling!  With my thermal socks and layers on, I did try to sketch and paint with my gloves on.  No way.  It was just too much leather between my fingers and the brush.  So, I painted fast, left these supplies in the car when I moved it (2 hour parking), and took my ink bag up to the memorial.  By the time it was all said and done, the rain was falling lightly.  It was wonderful to see so many people turn out for the festivities.  This memorial to our veterans is truly a special place, with so much to see.  Perhaps this will become an annual tradition.  Painting number 1767 in 1767 days.

oil on panel, 10x8
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Waterfall Inked

ink on paper, 6x4

The Nature Sanctuary in Parkville is one of my favorite places to paint!  This is the lower fall leading to a winding creek that trails through the park.  Heavily wooded, it is a bit of a hike in here - but SO worth it!  This sketch is my study for the painting to come.  Rather complicated with the trees, roots, fallen sticks and leaves, I try to simplify to get the values and a sense of where I want the painting to go.  There is nothing like inking to the sound of babbling water....I could do this all day, and probably will!  Painting number 1766 in 1766 days.

Nutcracker Drummer

It's that time of year again - and nutcrackers are popping up everywhere I turn!  I've already bought three new ones - all begging to be painted!  I even had the pleasure of seeing some fabulous Steinbach ones at the Christmas Shoppe in Branson!  What's a girl to do?  Why, paint them, of course!  Painting number 1765 in 1765 days.

Thousand Oaks Inked

Drawing in the quiet of an early morning fog, I feel like the only one here.  I love to work when all is still, before the landscape wakes.  So quiet I can hear the leaves falling from the maple, I render each line as I see it.  Using my favorite fountain pen, I complete my composition before adding a wet brush to move the ink a little.  I like to get my middle values this way, instead of the cross hatching of the old days.  I still turn to the India ink once in a while, but once I tried the water - I never really went back.  Painting number 1764 in 1764 days.

Albrecht Kemper Museum Inked

What a fabulous museum to host the Missouri Valley Impressionist Society Signature Show!  With the closing of this show, I had the perfect opportunity to capture this beautiful building in ink. The whole area is steeped in history, regal architecture and sweeping lawns. This view is the main entrance to the museum, though it is the back of the building. The roses out back had been in full bloom, the frosted tops telling the story.  My lesson learned on this day?  I should have made sure my drawing was in focus while still on site!  I am so bad to take the quick shot before closing up, without checking.  I can't count the times that the location shot has been too bad to even use.  Maybe one day I'll learn to consistently check!  Painting number 1763 in 1763 days.

Autumn on Glade Trail

I love the wilderness!  The birdsong, falling leaves and the way they crunch underfoot while walking the trail, all lure me back to the forest again and again.  Painting is quick and simple when using my thumb box.  It is small enough to hold while standing, my thumb slipped until the hole underneath to keep it steady as I paint.  I keep my brushes, paper towels, and tiny safflower oil for brush cleaning under the sliding shelf, putting my Altoid tin palette on the shelf for painting.  From the humble beginnings of the Zorn palette last year, I have added bits of other shades scraped from the broken glass of another palette.  It is now a hodge podge of paint in unorganized fashion, which will one day find order as I use up each one out of place!  See, there is method in my madness after all!  Painting number 1762 in 1762 days.

Thousand Hills in Ink

Oh how I longed for another panel this morning!  If only I'd opened my thumb box before leaving the house, I would have seen the wet painting inside!  I turned to my ink for solace, sketching first the painting to come. These leaves are turning more brilliant by the hour, and simply must find their way into a painting.  Using my fountain pen, I render all lines, coming in after with my favorite Koi water brush pen. These brushes let out a smooth flow of water, allowing me to move that ink and get my middle values. I can't wait to do this in paint!  Painting number 1761 in 1761 days.

November at Thousand Oaks

After a busy day of shopping with my girlfriends, I arrived back at the resort just in time to get a painting finished.  Who could possibly resist the saturated color of a misty day?  I LOVE my Guerilla Painter thumb box pochade!  I opened it up and found a wet painting!  Shoot!  I thought I had two panels for the weekend!  I guess I'll be using ink for the rest of this trip!  Painting number 1760 in 1760 days.

Vintage Boulevard

The old tank at the Boulevard Brewing Company is infinitely more paintable than the shiny new tank that has replaced it.  This local Kansas City icon is a favorite meeting place, and a wonderful place for wedding receptions!  The balcony is beautiful on a warm summer night.  Studying for the painting to come, this is one composition that I first rendered in ink.  I really seem to migrate to the black for my ink, and I have many wonderful, rich colors to choose from!  I have three empty fountain pens drying on the counter now..... perhaps I'll fill each with one of those rich hues.  Painting number 1759 in 1759 days.

Garden of the Stars Inked

The Garden of the Stars is a jewel in the crown of Starlight Theatre. The sweeping lines and flowing water only accentuate the masses of flowers, and are a joy to render.  First drawing this sketch to capture the composition, I will next take out my oils.  I can hardly stop drawing to even get to my paint!  So many choices, so little time!  Painting number 1758 in 1758 days.

Ink on handmade paper, 6x4
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Misty Autumn Day

I always have an easel or two, and sketch supplies in the car, just in case I stumble upon something irresistible.  The fabulous fall color stopped me in my tracks, and I just HAD to paint it!  The red and yellow, surrounded with greens, had the perfect misty, drizzly weather to show off that saturated color!  This kind of day is simply made for capturing those warm autumn hues.  With a tiny painting window, I did not lay my darks in with acrylic.  Instead, I fell into my normal groove of laying in masses of color, blending edges together once the panel is covered.  I've also started softening edges with a large fluffy bristle brush which I keep in my others pochades.  This is a relatively new step for me, and I haven't yet added one to this tiny box. I'll have to find one in a smaller scale, and chop most of the handle off!  It is only a 5x7 pochade, after all! Painting number 1757 in 1757 days.

Caretaker's Path

Since I first saw this house years ago, I have wanted to sketch it.  These 27 acres are rolling and full of mature trees, many just starting to put on their autumn color. I am looking for the best composition, and this is my second drawing.  Some days I will draw twice and then choose a third vantage for the paint.  I think this will bee one of those days!  Painting number 1756 in 1756 days.

Morning Breaks

The skies are full of wonder this time of year!  Sunrise and sunset compete with each other with reckless abandon - and this artist is taking full advantage!  I've pulled out my 5x7 guerrilla painter thumb box for speed in painting, and I've used my acrylics for the dark underpainting.  Once dry (which is pretty fast) I begin with the colors in the sky.  Here, I start with the horizon color, and then jump to the darkest clouds shades. I finish with the orange hues, then blend a little here and there.  I leave the application  thick at the horizon, softening towards the edge.  Painting number 1755 in 1755 days.

Sunset Fishing from the Boat

We've had some amazing sunsets recently - and they can be a challenge to capture as quickly as they fade!  I tried something different for this one.  I first painted in my darks with a dark violet shade of acrylic, before the sunset really started. I knew my composition and that all would be in silhouette in comparison with the sunset color.  Allowing it to dry, I could then slap that color down without having to worry about mudding up either value.  It really was so much easier!  I could then come in with my oils over the darks, without having to fill the whole mass, because the acrylic base is a good color to work from.  I think I may have stumbled onto something!  I'll need to do this a few more times to see if this is something I will stick with!  Painting number 1754 in 1754 days.

oil on panel, 10x8
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Brookside Boulevard

Leaving early this morning, I took care of errands before heading to Brookside for the 2 hour quick paint.  Arriving on scene, I find a painting in every direction!  I've never painted here, though it is only 35 minutes from my home!  The place is steeped in history, with fabulous vintage store fronts everywhere!  I fully intended on painting in oil, but I just couldn't lay down the ink pens!  Truly, architecture like this is made for my fountain pen, and I didn't stop until I'd rendered three!  Painting number 1753 in 1753 days.  What a fun day sponsored by the Savory Spice Shop  - thanks to Rebecca!  Can't wait to try my new fancy bourbon pepper!

now showing at Savory Spice Shop
ink on handmade paper, 8x10
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Town Topic Inked

I always schedule my plein air window around my calendar.  Today found me taking a painting to Arts KC, and this scene is right where I parked.  Well, of course I had to capture it!  The temperature is dropping, so ink is my medium - I didn't bring my coat for painting outside!  It takes me days to acclimate to the cold, and I can hardly stand it!  Give me the heat any day.  This local favorite is another Kansas City icon, and the whole area is very paintable.  I must come back with my oils!  Painting number 1752 in 1752 days.

ink on paper, 6x4
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Caretaker's House in Autumn

I have wanted to paint in this cemetery ever since we got stuck inside it's 27 acres trying to exit the Royal's World Series parade!  All those rolling hills surrounded by a tall iron fence with only one way in and out.  The autumn color is just beginning, with reds popping behind the caretaker's house.  After drawing two ink works, I settled into this setting for my oils.  Using my Guerilla Painter thumb box, I am painting 7x5 today.  I just got a new shipment of brushes in - some with short handles, made specifically for pochade boxes!  Oh happy day!  I've been sawing off handles for years.  Who knew they came the way I needed for plein air?  Painting number 1751 in 1751 days.

oil on panel, 7x5
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Boulevard Brewing Company

Today finds me painting another Kansas City icon - the Boulevard Brewing Company.  I love the architecture and mix of colors in this urban landscape.  I worked from two different plein air drawings, going back to the older one to capture that fabulous vintage tank!  It adds so much character that the shiny new silver tank lacks.  I strongly lean to the vintage in many things right down to the house I live in - predating 1845. What's a girl to do?  Resisting is futile, so why bother?  This one is for the upcoming ArtsKC show running for the holidays.  Painting number 1750 in 1750 days.

10x10, oil on panel
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Wooded Lake Impressions

Whenever I'm at a plein air event in another state, the wonder of places unexplored seeps into my very soul.  Every painting I create carries that wonder in every brushstroke.  In a serene place like this, the peace and tranquility of the day also seep into the painting.  I could have painted here all week, but only had a day to spend here with my paints and ink.  I made use of my time, completing 5 works on site before tearing myself away.  I'm already looking forward to another rendezvous next October.  Painting number 1749 in 1749 days.

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